Pia Wurtzbach with the entire Barangay Ginebra team during the opening ceremony of the 2019 PBA season. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—There’s no denying that Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach caught everyone’s eye when she represented Barangay Ginebra as its muse in the opening ceremonies of the 44th PBA Season.

It’s not everyday that the most beautiful woman on planet earth graces the sporting event but it does happen once a year and Ginebra point guard Scottie Thompson couldn’t help but gush over the beauty queen.

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Thompson did admire Wurtzbach, saying her presence alone motivated them to the Gin Kings to their 90-79 win over TNT, but he couldn’t help himself from making fun of his teammate Prince Caperal.

“It’s amazing that Queen P was our muse but we have Prince,” said Thompson laughing Sunday at Philippine Arena. “Queen P meets the Prince and we’re motivated because she’s the Miss Universe.”

Ginebra head coach Tim Cone said Wurtzbach spent some time with the team in the locker room.

“We got to meet Pia, so that was exciting. She didn’t know who I was but I certainly knew who she was,” said Cone. “She was in the locker room for like an hour, so we were all giving her glances. We were inspired, and that’s what makes the opening day fun.”

Thompson, however, wasn’t caught off guard when asked if Pia Wurtzbach has replaced Liza Soberano as his celebrity crush.

It was well documented before that Thompson has admired Soberano since the the days when Dolce Amore was still on air.

Thompson said Soberano and Wurtzbach are somehow the same since the 21-year-old actress played the 29-year-old beauty queen in a biopic.

“It’s still Liza,” said Thompson. “Although the two are the same since Liza played Pia in MMK (Maalala Mo Kaya).”

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